Head condenser

Abstract

A head condenser is provided with a plate heat exchanger which has first and second channels through which media can flow and which, for the first medium, form tubes between individual plates that are connected to each other to form a pair of plates and, for the second medium, form waves between pairs of plates that are connected to each other to form a stack of plates. A condenser housing is provided in which the plate heat exchanger is arranged, wherein the condenser housing provides pressure chambers which extend over the large outer surfaces of the plate heat exchanger and are in fluidic connection with the channels for the first or second medium. The pressure chambers are traversed by fluid lines which are in fluidic connection with the respectively other first or second medium.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A head condenser comprising a plate heat exchanger ( 2 ) which comprises first and second channels through which media can flow and which, for a first medium (M1), form tubes between individual plates that are connected to each other to form a pair of plates and, for a second medium (M2), form waves between pairs of plates that are connected to each other to form a stack of plates, and comprising a condenser housing ( 3 ) in which the plate heat exchanger ( 2 ) is arranged, wherein the condenser housing ( 3 ) provides two pressure chambers ( 4 ) which are formed on both sides of the plate heat exchanger ( 2 ), wherein a first pressure chamber ( 4 ) extends over a first large outer surface of the plate heat exchanger ( 2 ) and wherein a second pressure chamber ( 4 ) extends over a second large outer surface of the plate heat exchanger ( 2 ), wherein the first and second pressure chambers ( 4 ) are in fluidic connection with the channels through which the second medium (M2), which is a coolant under pressure, is conducted and are connected to a medium supply formed by a first connection flange ( 10 ) and to a medium discharge formed by a second connection flange ( 11 ), thus defining a flow path for the second medium (M2) which allows the second medium (M2) to flow into the first pressure chamber ( 4 ) via the first connection flange ( 10 ), to pass from the first pressure chamber ( 4 ) on one side of the plate heat exchanger ( 2 ) through the plate heat exchanger ( 2 ) on a wave side, to flow from the plate heat exchanger ( 2 ) into the second pressure chamber ( 4 ) on another side of the plate heat exchanger ( 2 ) and to be discharged from the second pressure chamber ( 4 ) via the second connection flange ( 11 ), wherein the first pressure chamber ( 4 ) is traversed by a first fluid line ( 5 ) and the second pressure chamber ( 4 ) is traversed by a second fluid line ( 5 ), wherein the first and second fluid lines ( 5 ) are in fluidic connection with the first medium (M1) which is to be condensed. 
     
     
       2. The head condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure chamber ( 4 ) is divided into preferably two areas by a separating metal sheet. 
     
     
       3. The head condenser according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure chamber areas are in fluidic connection. 
     
     
       4. The head condenser according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure chamber areas are each connected to a medium supply and a medium discharge. 
     
     
       5. The head condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein top and bottom sides, in a direction of height, of the pressure chambers ( 4 ) are closed in a fluid tight manner by corresponding metal sheets.